Pages

2/03/2013

McCalls 6656

ETA: Thanks Everyone for your awesome compliments on my coat.

Carolyn asked: "How does the jacket close?"
I believe the pattern calls for one button. My initial plan was to use 3 toggle fastners (that I'd purchased at JoAnn's). However, before I could get a toggle on, it fell apart (close inspection of the toggle, showed the loop was affixed with adhesive tape).

Next, I basted in a black jacket zipper, but the with zipper teeth gold, it looked all wrong. Last option, a button from my stash. I am wearing it today and considering adding at least 2 more buttons.

More close-up pics:

Before sleeves insertion

Wrong side of front showing small support button & hook & eye

Wrong side of back, the faux leather is doubled layered with wrong sides together, after machine stitching the leather to bottom edge of bodice, I trimmed the leather seam allowance only and handstitched the faux fur seam allowance down to conceal the raw edges of the leather

I'm sure everyone is tuning in or have tuned into the Superbowl. Luckily for me, the guys are working today and the house is sports free....and quieeeet, except for the dogs barking here and there....but quiet enough. I have never acquired an interest in sports, but don't get me wrong, once in a while I will sit with my guy for a few hot minutes during a sports game, but believe me only for a few hot minutes. Sports rule in my house, the guys are avid sports fans, name the sport and they are on it... and I have to endure darn near every tv tuned to a sport channel, nascar, football, baseball, tennis... just name it and tvs are tuned in and the volume blasting..lol. I guess that is why I have a hate/love relationship with surround sound...lol

Well, on another note, I had the pleasure of finishing McCalls 6656 yesterday and before the guys headed out this morning, did a quick run to the store, changed my boots & got some pics taken.

McCalls 6656 came to my attention when Andrea posted about her coat. I immediately started thinking about working up View C using a hunter green faux fur back suede fabric and Maharam faux leather that I'd purchased from Sav-a-Thon last November.

During the holidays, I swayed and debated if I wanted to use that pattern or opt for another one, but in the end M6656 won. I tissue fit the pattern and at the same time tried not to tear it apart, it was somewhat cumbersome with the cut on collar. Decided on the size large, cut the fabric and omygoodness, fibers were everywhere. I don't recall experiencing that with the faux shearling fabric I used for Simplicity 4025. I must admit I spent the better part of sewing the coat and cleaning up fibers... and more fibers and more fibers... pita.

The easy rating for the pattern is spot on and went together nicely. This pattern allowed me to play around with the double sided fabric, used the suede side for the whole bodice, did a 3" band with the faux leather, for the 6" front lower bands used the fur side and the back band used the suede side. Interesting mix wouldn't you say.

Despite tissue fitting, the coat was too big and ended up removing the excess from the side seams.

A word of caution though, the sleeves are narrow. I cut an XL for the sleeves, yes the coat went together nicely, but did spend some time easing the sleeves in... can I say I basted them in, then had to take them out several times. Once the coat was done, I really didn't like the square shawl collar and used the collar from S4025 to shape it. Another change I made was rounding the front edges of the hemline.

The only downside of this garment is that there are no pockets, my plan was to put in side seam pockets using a pocket template that I have, but totally forgot, after spending some time making sure the side seams lined up and only remembered after the seams were sewn. To make matters worst, I was down to rip out the side seams and put in the pockets, only to realize the remnant for the pockets were no where to be found.... like the remnant went out with the garbage... uggh.

No fear... all is good, the coat is toasty warm, fits nicely and perfect for today's snow and 28 degree temp.

The true color doesn't show up in the pics, but it's a deep hunter green.

Trying to get my pose game together

For the life of me I can't remember to crack a smile unless jokes are abound

Wait... I was getting ready to crack a smile... sheesh ...impatient photographer

Thanks Ms. Gwen and totally agree that coats are a big undertaking. With fur back suede, it eliminates the use of interlining & linings and going with a simple coat pattern simplifies it even more. I hardly wear wools coats once the temps go below 40. Faux shearlings are my favorite and luckily have acquired a few in various thickness to handle N.Y. brutal winters.

Your coat looks great and very warm. I know what you meant about sports, my hubby, son and brother are watching the game, there is so much noise in the family room, I can't wait for the game to be overrrr.

LOL, your photo session story line is great! I'd love to have a photographer who knows what s/he s donig. Heck, I'd love to have a photographer! The coat is luscious, too, well worth the effort to get pix in the snow.

Awesome coat despite the trials and tribulations! Love that you can use the collar as a hood. And I had a similar experience making a baby sac-thing out of some novelty furry fabric - every cut edge just poured furry stuff. Had to dust and vacuum after making it - yuk. Well worth it for your coat, though!

What a beautiful coat! Sheila, I love the shearling but wondered whether it would shed really bad without the fabric being washed first. Thanks for the lovely review. I love how you used this fabric.!!! Total goodness.

Brenda, washing the fabric before cutting basically removes the loose fibers. However, once the cutting starts, shedding will occur from the cut edges. I just run my hand along each edge after cutting and also shake it. What I can say, is once the garment is constructed the shedding cease. The messy part is dealing with the shedding during the cutting phase.